3 best free agent relievers the NY Mets should sign ranked

1) Tanner Scott

If the Mets go big in free agency on a reliever, then Tanner Scott should be the guy. Scott has broken out in a big way over the last two years. He has cemented himself as one of, if not baseball's best reliever right now. On top of that, he fills the void of a quality left-handed pitcher the Mets very much need.

Last season, Scott pitched a total of 72 innings for the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres. He pitched to a microscopic 1.75 ERA, 2.92 FIP, and 1.13 WHIP. He struggled to limit walks with a 12.2% BB%, but that's where the negatives end. Scott struck out 28.6% of opponents and only allowed home runs at a 0.38-per-9 rate. It's also not as if he hasn't shown better control, either. He only handed out a free pass to 7.8% of opponents in 2023, and his walk rate sat below 10% from the start of June '24 onward.

Scott had an astounding 32.7% whiff rate, which was in the 92nd percentile of pitchers in 2024. But when batters made contact vs the lefty, it was rarely ever good contact. He was in the 100th percentile of exit velocity at 84.3 MPH, while his 4.7% barrel percentage was in the 92nd percentile. It's the second straight season Scott has been above the 90th percentile in all three statistics.

Over the last two seasons, there are 166 pitchers with at least 80 innings pitched out of the bullpen. Scott ranks in the top five in ERA and FIP and has the most fWAR. He also has the fourth most innings pitched with two consecutive seasons throwing at least 70 frames. In terms of win percentage added, no other reliever has provided their team with a better contribution to winning ball games than Scott at 8.07. The second most is Devin Williams at 6.18.

Scott is the best reliever left on the free-agent market. He is only entering his age-30 season as well. MLB Trade Rumors originally predicted Scott to sign a four-year deal worth $56 million at the start of the off-season. While that would make him a very highly paid relief pitcher, especially one that isn't going to see regular save opportunities, Scott and Diaz would make the 8th and 9th innings a nightmare for opposing teams.